Chinese firm 'disrupting' Gwanda water source

Residents of Gwanda have voiced growing concerns over what they describe as the excessive drawing of water from Mtshabezi River by a Chinese mining company, fearing that the river could dry up if the practice continues.

Collet Moyo, chairperson of the Gwanda Progressive Residents Association (GPRA), told Southern Eye that the Chinese company has been drawing large quantities of water from the river for mining purposes, activities that require substantial water usage. Moyo explained that the situation had deteriorated to the point where the water body was in a state it had never been in before, not even during dry seasons.

"The Mtshabezi water body has never been in that state even in dry seasons. They are drawing the water and using it for mining purposes, activities which need a lot of water. They collect water 24/7," Moyo said.

In response to growing concerns from the community, the GPRA executive visited the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) offices to seek clarity on the company's water usage. Moyo's letter to Gwanda residents outlined the findings of the visit.

The GPRA team was assured by a Zinwa engineer that the issue of excessive water extraction had been raised by various departments before. According to the engineer, an agreement had been made, and the Chinese company's trucks would soon no longer be allowed to draw water from the river near the bridge.

However, the situation remains complicated as Gwanda Town Clerk Priscilla Nkala declined to comment on the matter, stating that the council does not handle issues related to raw water. She suggested that inquiries should be directed to Zinwa.

Zinwa spokesperson Marjorie Munyonga clarified the situation, stating that the water authority supplies raw water to various users, including the Municipality of Gwanda, from Blanket Dam through the Mtshabezi River. Munyonga explained that water users, including the Chinese mining company, have their own designated abstraction points and that all water usage is regulated under valid water abstraction agreements.

"Water releases from Blanket Dam are, therefore, done taking into account the requirements of all water users, hence abstractions by one user cannot affect water allocations for others," Munyonga said.

Despite these assurances, residents remain concerned about the long-term sustainability of the river and the impact of ongoing water extraction by the mining company. Many fear that the river could be irreparably damaged, leading to water shortages in the region. The situation is likely to continue to generate debate among Gwanda residents, local authorities, and environmental stakeholders.